TOWN AND COUNTRY

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIII, Issue 13712, 1 April 1905, Page 5

TOWN AND COUNTRY

The following auctioneers’ advertisements appear on page 15: —North Canterbury Co-operative Association, National Mortgage and Agency Comany, New Zealand Farfners’ Co-operative Association, and Messrs Harding, Campbell and Co., Wright, Stephenson and Co., Conway Matson and Sons, J. T. Ford and Co., W. T. Robinson, G. R, Wilson, Field and Royds, Dalgety and Co., D. Thomas, Ingram and Co., F. C. Tahart, and F. S. Malcolm and Co. A convention of temperance workers interested in the Lyttelton electorate will be hoicl this afternoon in the Y.W.C.A. rooms, in Gloucester Street. , Mr IV. H. Hagger, of the Christchurch Labour Bureau, returned yesterday from a visit to Ashburton, where ho has been making inquiries in connection with awards of the Arbitration Court. To-day is the date fixed for the annual registration of factories in the Canterbury district. There are about 1200 factories, within the meaning of the Act, and the fees range from Is to £2 10s. A good start has been made with the work of putting down the* Rangiora Bowling Green. It is probable that the Tennis Club will join the Bowling Club in providing three tennis courts in time for use next season. At Hanmer Springs, on Thursday, a lamp at the post office slide'*scorched the paint, and caused a lot of smoko, but the lire was quickly put out without either damage being done or excitement caused. The newly-formed New Brighton School Cadet Cox-ps was reviewed by Lieutenant-Colonel Loveday, Govern-, ment inspecting officer, on Thursday afternoon. There was a good muster of the corps, under Captain G. W. Bishop and Lieutenant North. A well-attended meeting of the Canterbury Building and Investment Society was held last night, when the first appropriation of £3OO was drawn. Mr J. 11. Brunt, one of the directors, presided. The ballot resulted in share No. 2 securing the appropriation. The number oP births registered in Christchurch / and district during March was 176, as compared with 179 for the corresponding month last year. The marriages numbered 66, as against 96 in March, 1904. Fifty-nine deaths were registered, as compared with 64 last year. The following is a statement of the Customs duties collected at Lyttelton during the week ended March 31:— Spirits, £1336 10s 8d; cigars, cigarettes and snuff, £332 10s; tobacco, £935 7s 6cl; wine, £59 15s 6d; beer, £2O; tea, £3 10s; sugar, molasses and treacle, £79 6s 8d; weight, £4BO 9s 7d; ad valorem, £3432 12s 8d; other duties, £236 9s lid; total, £6916 12s Cd.

A suggestion has been made that the New Brighton Pier Company should make arrangements for a track for motor-ears from the foot of the principal street in the borough to the hard sand on the beach. If it did that, motorists would ho saved the trouble of taking their machines through a lot of loose sand. A small charge could bo made, and, as the track would not require to be of an elaborate nature, the company, it is thought, would find that it would be well paid for its trouble. A special meeting of the Canterbury Acclimatisation Society was held last evening; present—Mr G. F. Whiteside (chairman), and Messrs C. J. Sloman, J. Hynes, A. Swanston, P. J. Delacour, Wheeler, T. B. Gibbs, Drake, Biggins and Lavery. The business of the meeting was to adopt the revised rules, as recommended by the Council, which had been altered to admit all holders of annual licenses of £1 to membership of the Society, without any further fee. The other rules of the Society had been drafted by the special sub-committee sot up in order to meet the proposed alteration. The whole of the rules as revised and amended were adopted. The beautiful manner in which the Benicia Disc Plough turns under wheat or oat stubble is simply surprising. It makes ploughing easy. Morrow Bassett and Co. X 3208

Lamp Season, 1905. Fletcher Bros, have just landed a special shipment of beautiful hanging lamps, from 17s 9d to 49s 6d; table, complete with shade, from 2s lid; hand and bracket lamps, from le; hurricane lanterns, 3a 9d; extra chimneys, shades, wicks, burners, galleries and suspenders in stock. See window display; everything marked plain figures. Fletcher Bros., Lamp Importers, Lower High Street. X 3014

Mr J. Butterfield will be a candidate for the Sydenham Ward at the City Council elections. The number of births registered in Wellington for the month ending yesterday (179) is the highest ,on record for that city. The steamer Toroa brought 1090 sheep from Pitt’s Island, Chatham Islands, Five hundred and fifty-one from Wellington were landed from tho s.s. Rotoxnahana yesterday morning. Lady Plunket has expressed her willingness to visit Nurse Maude’s consumptive camps at intervals during tho next few weeks and entertain patients with musical items. The Auckland City Council has carried a motion that the Auckland Tramway Company should bo given notice forthwith to abate the nuisance caused by the intolerable noise of its cars in Queen Street and the city generally. Tho annual picnic of the Aylesbury School was held yesterday at Governor’s Bay. Tho party, numbering about fifty persons, arrived by train at 10.15 a.m. at Lyttelton, whence they worn conveyed to the Bay by the s.s. Puran. A man, who was fined S.s and costs at the Magistrate’s Court, yesterday, for allowing a horse to wander at larp;e in Sumner, asked, jocularly, if there was “any option.” Fortunately, perhaps, for him, the Bench did not hear his question. It is stated that the secretary of tho Auckland Acclimatisation Society has received a telegram from tho Colonial Secretary’s Office to the effect that tho Government has decided to grant tho request made by the society that tho fishing season should bo extended from April 15 to the end of the month. The season has boon a late one, but tho trout are now 7 plentiful and in good condition. The Russian thar (deer) liberated on tho slopes of Mount Cook a few 7 months ago are believed to he doing very well. Tho males have not been seen, hut the does have been frequently noticed. One of the young does, detached from the others when they were liberated, has since chummed up with the calves at the Hoi'mitage, and is fed with them daily. It is believed that the thar will rapidly become acclimatised. In performance of his duty, tho Court orderly had occasion yesterday to go seeking for a defendant in a by-law case outside the Court precincts, and, returning unsuccessful, was amazed to find a man standing before tho Court. “ Aro you James ?” ho asked. “No,” was the reply, “he’s mot with an accident, and I’m making an explanation.” “ Oh,” said tho functionary, and tendering “Punch’s” famous advice on another subject, he continued, “ well, don’t.” And tho overawed supplicant subsided. “I am rather dull of healing,” said an old man of seventy-two, at the Magistrate’s Court, yesterday, when charged with being found drunk in the city on the previous day. After a constable had loudly repeated the purport of the information to him, the aged delinquent, whoso first offence it was, challenged the indictment. “I would like to know 7,” he said, “what the police definition of the word ‘ drunk ’ is. I was certainly ‘ a little bit on,’ but not dtunk. I was on my way homo.” As the arresting constable stated the defendant lived in Sb Albans, and that he was heading in a totally opposite direction; a conviction was entered against him.

the conclusion of tho Seventh Contingent’s connection with the South African campaign the officers and men presented the late lion Colonel H. F. White, to whose column tho contingent was attached, with a.',gold watch and chain. Colonel White died soma lit tic time ago at Pietersburg, in the Transvaal, and Mr Stuart Robinson, of Wellington, who was an officer in the Seventh Contingent, has received a letter from Lord Analley, a brother ot the deceased, stating that the watch and chain are now in his possession. It will bo gratifying to these who contributed towards the presentation to know that the token of esteem is in safe keeping. _ That tho watchful eye of the detective sometimes errs was exemplified at the Magistrate’s Court, yesterday, when a man, who was arrested by Detective Ward, appeared on a charge of stealing a lady’s jacket. Detective Cox stated that his colleague had seen tire accused, who was well known to the police, carrying the jacket over his arm on the previous day and as, in reply to a question, lie was unable to give a satisfactory answer, ho had been arrested. Since the arrest accused had stated that the jacket belonged to his wife, who was also “ well-known to tlie police.” Such had been found to bo the case and on the detective’s application the case was withdrawn,.

As a rule, very little supervision is exercised over the wandering cow or horse at the seaside, and animals of many descriptions stray without let or hindrance in the highways and byways alike at day and night, to the danger and discomfort of other traffic. Apparently, tlio Sunnier ranger recently awoke "-from his apathy, as a number of inhabitants of that borough bore one another company at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday as being tno owners of straying quadrupeds. The nomadic animals included a foal, two horses and six members of .that important concomitant of the sands of the seashore—the donkey. The owner of the donkeys stated that he was not at home at the time, being in attendance at a Fire Brigade Conference and Tournament in Dunedin. Hif desires in the direction of instruction for more effective use of the brigade .plant at future fires in the borough did not, however, save him from a similar penalty to that inflicted on his fellow culprits in the matter of by-law breaches. A special meeting of the Rangiora High School Board was held on Thursday. There were present—Messrs J. Johnston (chairman), R. Ball, H. Boyd, A. S. Bruco, G. Whiteside, J. Carmichael and C. I. Jennings. Notice of the- reappointment of Messrs J. Johnston and R. Ball as members of the Board, was received. A letter was received from the Education Department that nine pupils belonging to the school had qualified in the Civil Service examination for continuance places for another year. The members of the Board expressed gratification at the number of successful pupils being so large in comparison with other high schools/ The Auditor-General returned the 'balance-sheet for last year, certified to being correct oxcejrt in respect to a grant of £2O to the High School Cadets, which, lie stated, was contrary to law. The secretary (Mr Ball) and Mr Cresswcll, headmaster, pointed out that grants had been made in a similar manner to other High School Cadet corps in the colony. To comply with the Act it was decided to advertise the Board’s reserve to lot on lease for a term of years. The headmaster reported the school roll number to be 66 Boys 34, girls 32. The chairman reported a bank credit balance of £lll. Accounts amounting to £132 2s 4d were passed for payment, the capitation grant of £l7O odd being due in throe weeks.

Two special purchases (202 in el!) of high-class Winter Mantles and Skirts have just been made by Beath and Co., Ltd., at prices very much less than usual rates. _ Those arc now being by this popular firm at really tempting prices. In catering for and in the interests of their town and country clients and the public generally will be fully appreciated by one and all. Beath and Co., Ltd., Argylo house, Cashel Street, Christchurch loss

The steamer Ventura, which sailed from Auckland yesterday, took 2304 bales of flax for San Francisco, a record shipment. Alfred Stringfellow, who formerly kept a hoarding-house in Durham Street, Auckland, was arrested at Wellington on Wednesday night on a charge of stealing £230 from Matthew Gear. The births registered at Christchurch from January 1 to March 31 numbered 506, which is within one of the greatest number ever registered locally. In 1879, 507 births were recorded for the first three months of the year. The annual meetings of householders for the election of School Committees in the North Canterbury district will bo held on the evening of Tuesday, April 25. The place of meeting will be the sohoolliouso in each district.

At a meeting of the Timarti Harbour Board yesterday, it was shown that the receipts for the past month (ships’ dues and wharfage) constitute a record for the port, amounting to £3233. This eclipses-the previous record by £7OO. At about 8 p.m. on Thursday evening a locomotive was shunting a truck laden with goods into the Ashburton good shed. The shed door, by some mistake, bad been loft shut, and the track reduced it to splinters. An inquiry will bo held into the occurrence. The Canterbury Acclimatisation Society is the latest convert to the one-man-ono-vote principle. The revised rules of the society, as adopted at the special meeting last evening, gave the death-knoll to the plurality voting which has obtained formerly. These revised rules stipulate that no member, no matter what the amount of his subscription, shall in future be entitled to move than one vote.

The pupils of the Carew School were so pleased with the samples of sewing and knitting which Miss Cossgrove had sent from the native school at Tuahiwi that they subscribed to purchase a prize for the best boy sower in the school. The prize, a copy of “ Chums,” arrived yesterday, and was presented to Peter Tauwharo, in Standard V". The Maori children were delighted, and gave the recipient a hearty round of applause. Red deer are becoming very plentiful in Northern Otago. When coaching between Omarama and Lindus a few 7 days ago the Acting-Superintendent of the Tourist Department counted thirty head of deer within a hundred yards of tho coach. Among them was a tenpointer stag. The coachman informed him that tho deer would come within fifty yards of the coach while it was moving, but as soon as it was pulled up and a passenger dismounted they were off like the wind. A trial of M’Dougall’s dust-laying composition is being made in Manchester Street, from the City Council’s yard to the railway station. The first application of the composition was made yesterday afternoon, and another one will be.made this morning. Twelve gallons of the composition are used to 600 gallons of water for tho first application, and 10 gallons of composition to 600 gallons of water on the second occasion. No more applications will be made until Tuesday.

A number of working men in tho Starborough district, Blenheim, recently sent a petition to tho Minister of Lands (through tho Hon C. H. Mills) praying that small sections varying from fifty to 100 acres, on the ETax- ■ bourne Estate, should be offered for selection for workmen’s homes. The Minister of Lands has given instructions that a Crown lands ranger, is to interview the petitioners on the subject, with the view of ascertaining if it is possible to meet their wishes. The building trade is still fairly brisk in Christchurch. A meniber of a firm of builders states that the rage for erecting “jerry-built” houses has practically passed away so far as Christchurch is concerned, and that numbers of good, substantial houses and cottages are now in course of erection in many parts of the suburbs. Though the trade is not as brisk as it was two or three years ago, there are no signs of a “ slump,” and he sees no j reason why an unwelcome visitor of j that character should be expected. Last night a concert party visited Nurso Iviaudo’s men’s consumptive camp at New Brighton, and gave a programme that was greatly appreciated by the patients. Items were contributed by Messrs R. Akin, H. Harris, J. Broome, F. Beare and R. Cowan, and Mr J. Sparks played the accompaniments. The matron, in thanking the visitors, said that such entertainments did the patients a great amount of good. Life in tho camp was apt to bo monotonous to those undergoing the open-air treatment, and visits from people who could cheer the men up a little were very- valuable. The secretary of the Christchurch Shorthand Writers’ Association has received from Sir Isaac Pitman and I Sous, of Bath, England, the results of the December examinations held under tile auspices of tho Association. Tho following is a list of the successful candidates ;—-140 words per minute, Miss G. M. E. Osborne; 130 words por niipute, Misses Lily Woodham, E. Idiens and G. A. Ireland; 110 words per minute, Misses B. Glasson, N. Fearn, M. Tavender and J. Ji’Fedries; 100 words per minute, Misses Elsie E. Wood, S. Vaughan, D. A. '.lavender, A. Rutherford, G. Stewart and Amy Findlay. According to tho London u Times,” the Board of Trade Advisory Committee on Commercial Intelligence has in contemplation the despatch of a commercial mission to Australia and New Zealand on similar lines to those recently undertaken to South Africa and other destinations. Tho principal - objects of tho mission will bo to ascertain the extent and degree of effectiveness of the competition which British goods have to meet in the Australian market witli a view to the indication of such farther openings as may exist for British trade in that quarter ; but the Com missioner to be appointed will also be charged with the duty of nominating, for the . consideration of the Department, suitable persons in the different colonial centres to act as permanent correspondents of the commercial branch of the Board of Trade. Precise and detailed instructions under both heads will, of course, be furnished to tho Commissioner. It is anticipated that the conduct of the mission will occupy about twelve months, and” that the cost, including travelling and remuneration to the Commissioner, will not exceed £1250.

Jewellery sale, for one month only. Ladies’ Gold Watches from 355, Ladies' Silver Watches from £l. Ladies’ Rings from 10s upwards. All goods sold -at greatly reduced prices.—K. Grioshaber, Jeweller, 155, Colombo Street. X 3371 "We are very proud of our handsome collection of Ladies’ Tailor-made Jackets. The garments were well chosen and shrewdly bought. Styles are the newest of the new; smart, distinctive, original, out-of-the-ordinary. Fabrics and colourings are uncommonly' rich and beautiful. Fit and make are all that the most critical woman could desire, and prices arc less than merely reasonable. You really ought to eee them. Black, Beattie and Co. 1988 Keep out tho view if it is objectionable. Our window transparencies are 19 inches wide. Price per yard Is, Is 6d, 2s. Put on with cold water only. Minson and Co., 220 j Colombo Street. X2CI3

1 During the month of March, 13 births, 2 marriages, and 3 deaths were registered in Lyttelton. For the quarter ending March 31 tho figures were 41 births, 14 marriages, and 10 deaths. The Hon W. Hall-Jones paid a visit to tho Sunnyside Hospital for Mental Diseases yesterday, and looked into detail matters. He also had interviews on departmental business. He left for Wellington last evening. Tho South Canterbury Hospital Board yesterday declined a request from the local agents of the State Fire Insurance Department for a share of tho Board’s business, it being understood that the other companies decline to ‘‘share” business with the State Department. Tho Customs revenue at Timaru for tho March quarter was £10,560 18s od, or £SOO more than for the same quarter of 1904. Tho import values of the quarter were £81,275, an increase of £8992; the export values £383,055, an increase of £34,737 compared vith the March quarter last year. A member of the Industrial Association stated last evening that his son, after studying in tho Christchurch School of Art and letter in the South Kensington School, London, had found it necessary to start again on entering a German college. Professor Bickerton said that the trouble with tho Christchurch School of Art was that it did not pay enough attention to drawing from the cast and nature. The copying done in the school was “ absolutely dreadful.” At a meeting of the Auckland Crown Lands Board yesterday four sections in the Whangawa district were forfeited through the failure of the holders to comply with conditions' relating to improvements and residence. The Com‘missioner stated that in these instances and others he intended bringing before the Board, it was clear that the occupants had taken the lands solely for the purposes of traffic in tho timber thereon, instead of as provided by the Land Act, for the purposes of legitimate settlement. There is still very general misunderstanding as to the qualifications of voters in the municipal elections, perhaps because it is so long since a mayoral election was necessary. The residential qualification belongs to any person, male or female, of the full age of twenty-one years, who is and has been for at least three months in occupation as tenant or sub-tenant, or as one of several tenants or sub-tenants holding in joint tenancy, of the whole or any portion of any house, warehouse, office, shop or other building in the ward or undivided borough to which the list relates, under a tenancy tho rent under which is at the rate of not less than £lO per year for the tenant or sub-tenant (or, as the case may bo, for each of the several tenants or sub-tenants). In the case of husband and wife, any qualification possessed by either of them shall be deemed to be possessed by each of them. Forms on which application must be made for the right to vote are obtainable at the office of the town clerk. At last night’s meeting of the Industrial Association the president (Mr W. W. Charters) reported in regard to the visit paid by members of the Association to Messrs Ross and Glendining’s warehouse. He stated that the visitors had been both astonished and delighted at the excellence and variety of the woollen and hosiery goods displayed. The president also reported that he had received an invitation to inspect the locally-built cars for the electric trams, and expressed the hope that members of the committee would endeavour to attend. “ I might state,” ho added, “that the members of this Association will at all times be only to glad to visit any works’ where anything new or improved is being made, and manufacturers arc cordially invited to intimate their wishes in this direction. The result of such visits, with tho publicity accorded them, may prove of great use to tho manufacturers, increase onr own knowledge, and, through the medium of tho public Press, that of the people, to the advantage of all concerned.” At the Ashburton Magistrate’s Court yesterday, before Mr C. A. Wray, S.M., judgment was given for plaintiffs by default in the civil cases S. Stephenson v. A. F. Young, claim £3 15s, and Elizabeth Madden v. A. Palmer, £2 14s 6d. Michael Lagen, boarding-house keeper, Tinwakl, sued R. F. Fountain for £8 and T. Sutherland for £29. claims for money due for board and lodging. Both cases were defended, and a nonsuit was entered in each case. In the cases Catherine Lee v. James Espie, claim for £42 10s on a promissory note, and counter-claim James Espie v. Catherine Lee, £4l for money lent, judgment was given for Mrs Lee. Gustave Solomon was charged with the theft of two rings, valued at £7, from the dwelling of Mrs Isabel Greenaway, at Rakaia. He pleaded guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. A man named George Freeman was brought up on a charge of drunkenness, and was remanded for medical examination. Judgment was given for defendant in tho case J. Morson v. E. F. Hughes, claim 6s.

The South Canterbury Hospital Board yesterday prepared the estimates for the ensuing year. Last year’s estimates for the Timaru Hospital totalled £3270, and the actual expenditure was £4103, the number of patients and of the staff increasing during the year. The estimate now made totals £3765. This is for general maintenance. For additional permanent improvements, £l7O was added for various smaller matters, and £6OO for a new laundry. The actual, expenditure on charitable aid last year, including the Old Men’s Home, was £2715; the estimate for this year is £2750. The Wairaate Hospital trustees ask for the amount of their actual expenditure last year, £1215. Office and miscellaneous expenses made the total estimate £9065. The total expenditure last year was £BBBO, this including £466 for purchase of land. A separate account is the proposed infectious diseases hospital. Plans for the'building were accepted, and tenders ordered to be called for its erection, alternatively in wood and brick. A provisional limit of £2500 has been placed on this item. • r'S . . If you have the faintest suspicion that "your eyes are not just right, if they bother*ycu in any way, it’s host to have them examined at once. Do not go to the average optician or spectacle seller,' for he is unable to distinguish between optical defects and diseases, but consult John R. Proctor, ISO, High Street, Christchurch, who will give you a thorough examination free of charge. X 2681 A dark hall is an abomination to one’s friends. We invite a look at our charming new hall lamps 8s 9d, 10s, 12s Gd, 15s 6d, strikingly new styles. Munson and Co., 220, Colombo Street. X 2613 .

We learn on good authority that a prominent citizen has decided to offer himself for election as Mayor. The gentleman in question is actuated solely by a desire to further the best interests or the city. We are now permitted to divulge his name; it is Butcher, 210, High Street (next Empire Hotel), the well-known maker of wedding rings and tho donor of free wedding gifts. 9988 For repairs to all kinds of bicycles, both English and American, the best place is Boyd and Son's, Gloucester Street (opposite Rink Stables), where they have every appliance and convenience for making satisfactory repairs at lowest prices. Agents for two of England’s best bicycles, at English prices. 3469

A general meeting of those interested in the liquor trade will be held in Hobbs’s Buildings on Monday afternoon next. RED TAPE. As an instance of departmental procrastination the following is worth placing on record. On March 11, says the “ Post,” the Petone Borough Council wrote to the Colonial Secretary’s office applying under section 17 of the Local Elections Act, 1904, for an extension till 7 p.m. of tho closing the poll to be taken in Pctono on March 23 on the rating on unimproved value question, and also of th® poll to be taken at the nest election of Councillors. Under date March 25, tu o days after the poll first referred to had been taken, tho Department wrote: “ Under direction of the Colonial Secretary,” requesting the Council to be good enough to forward a copy of the resolution passed containing the request referred to.

A r MEDICINAL WATER. The Wellington correspondent of this journal telegraphs:-—lt Is reported that when the North Island main trunk railway lino was being constructed at Mataroa, which is some eight miles north of Taihape, a spring of salt water was discovered. The spring, which bubbles up on a bank in the railway reserve, a few feet above a fresh water stream, has formed a pool of some 3f® or 4ft in diameter and, 4ft 0 r oft deep, which has recently been covered over by tho Public Works Department. Th® water, which is very salt and very clear, smells and tastes very much like kelp, yet tho spring is right inland, and situated forty T five miles in a direct Im® from the ocean, and is about 1700 ft above sea level. The water has been in some demand amongst settlers as a medicine,' and one sufferer from a kidney complaint has acknowledged relief from its use. Mr H. Lundieus, Crown Lands ranger, brought a bottle of the water from the spring before the Land Board, and the Government Analyst is to be asked to analyse the water to find out its medicinal properties. POULTRY EXPORT. In order to ascertain the truth of a South African complaint that New Zealand poultry does not compare favourably with Russian and American in the matter of grading, packing, etc., the Government poultry expert, Mr D. D. Hyde, has had a case of Russian fowls and a case of American ducks forwarded on by an agent in Cap® Town. The expert found the poultry in each case to be without anything to separate them, and consequently stuck together. Those exported from New Zealand are separated with, blotting paper, and have their heads and necks neatly packed in parchment. The American ducks were lighter than ducks sent from New Zealand. New Zealand fowls average slightly over 41b, and do not vary -J-lb. The Russian birds average only 31b, and vary fully 11b. Taking this comparative test as a basis, Mr Hyde considers that Russia and America can teach New Zealand nothing in packing, grading or weight. DENGUE FEVER. Dengue fever, which is at present raging in Queensland, is a specific epidemic disease attended with high fever, cutaneous eruption, and severe pains in the head and limbs resembling those of rheumatism. It occurs in India, Egypt, the West Indies, etc., is of short duration, and rarely fatal. This disease, when it first appeared in the British West India Islands, was # called the “dandy” fever, from the stiffness and constraint which it gave to the limbs ahd ( body. The Spaniards of tho neighbouring islands mistook , the term for their word “ dengue,” denoting prudery, which might also well express stiffness, and hence the term “dengue” became at - last tho name of tho disease.

THE “ STAR.” Three editions are published of Saturday’s “ Star ” —one at three o’clock in the afternoon, another at four, and a third at eight o’clock in tho evening, the late edition containing the latest reports from the recreation grounds and the last words of interest by telegraph. The Saturday issue is largely of a.magazine character, and the literature is of widely varied nature, treating on all sorts of subjects, but always interesting .and instructive. The issue ' to-day 'will be in keeping, and amongst its contents will bo found another instalment of the serial “ Craven Fortune,” now reaching its close. Amongst ‘ tho other tales and sketches will be found “Treasure Island,” “Politeness that Brought Ruin,” “ The _ Magnetised Man,” “ Russian Soldiers’ Letters,” “ Horseflesh as Food,” “ The Russian Peasant,” “Cold that Breeds Despair,” etc. In the columns specially compiled for ladies’ reading, the following will doubtless be welcomed: —-“A Little Blue Shoe,” “ Water as a Beautifier,” “The Care of the Hair,” “Tea and Coffee versus the Complexion,” “ How I Made My Homs Pretty,” “The Minor Points of Dress,” “ How to Write a Letter,” “ Household Hints,” “Woman’s World,” and others. ' “The Week,” the column for bandsmen, and the weekly article for gardeners will be found quite up to those of former issues, and the paper will contain all the news of tho day.

A MURILLO “ FIND.” • What is said to be a genuine picture by the great Spanish artist Murillo is now on exhibition in Messrs Doig’s Bond Street gallery. The subject thereof is “ Christ Healing the Paralytic,” and it has 'a somewhat romantic history. Murillo painted two pictures of tiny same subject,, one for the Charity Hospital at Seville, the other for tho St Augustine Chapel, Madrid. Tho former picture formed part, of the loot taken by Marshal Soult during tho Peninsular War. He sold it to .Mr ionlmin, who left it to Mr Pretyman, M.P. The second picture, the one just discovered (if Messrs Doig have got the genuine Murillo), was undoubtedly looted from St Augustine Chapel, Madrid, about the same time. There are two cracks straight across the canvas, which suggest that the picture' was doubled up flat for transport. The picture has remained unknown in Devonshire for nearly a century. Its last owner, an old lady, left it to her housekeeper, and it was eventually seized for debt, and passed into the hands of a dealer, who sold it to Mr Doig, who is quite certain that it is the “ Simon Pure,” and thinks it is worth at least £IO,OOO. The figures in the picture are life-size, and that of the Saviour is striking in its. dignity. In the foreground is the wistful-faced paralytic lying on the ground, stretching out his hands to the Saviour, behind whom, grouped together, are Peter, Jonn and James. A PREDICTED SHIPBUILDING BOOM. A tendency on the part of builders to demand better prices has choked off tho demand there was for new boats (says “Syren and Shipping”), but there is, nevertheless, good reason to believe that many more orders are

still to place. As a matter of fact, it is predicted in influential quarters on the Clyde that something like a boom in shipbuilding is impending. Trade may be bad and prospects poor, but Against that has to be set the fact that shrewd people, who ■ depleted their fleets of tonnage to the vanishing point in 1899, are forward now with orders' for vessels in half-dozens. Mr Arthur Caird’s estimate of the profitable life of a cargo steamer is fifteen years. If that were really so, we should not have much to do to supply all the tonnage that is needed. But is it? The man with a few eleven-year-old boats might figure out his prospective profits on that basis for the benefit of posterity, but on the whole, he is likely to find it less congenial employment in the near future than calculating how much he Will gain by replacing them with vfceamers of 7000 tons deadweight capacity like those which are on order now. The profitable life of a cargo vessel depends on much more than age. With the pace of the world changing ss it is, fifteen years is too long a time.Changing conditions are the life of shipbuilding, and—this of course—it is the early owner who gets the profit both ways—in a cheap ship, that is to say, and the earliest and most remunerative employment for it.